Collapsible gates



April 18, 1967 s. KAUFMAN ETAL 3,314,469

COLLAPSIBLE'GATES Filed April 20, 1964 2 Sheets$heet l INVENTORS STANLEYR. KAUFMAN DAVID M. KAUFMAN ATTORNEY.

April 18, 1967 R. KAUFMAN ETAL 3,314,469

COLLAPSIBLE GATES Filed April 20, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORSSTANLEY R. KAUFMAN DAVID M. KAUFMAN AT TOR NEY.

United States Patent 3,314,469 COLLAPSIBLE GATES Stanley R. Kaufman,Stokes Road, Yonkers, N.Y. 10710, and David M. Kaufman, 701 PalmerCourt, Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 Filed Apr. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 360,979 6Claims. (Cl. 160159) This invention relates to the art of collapsiblegates, more particularly to an improved gate structure of the open grilltype in 'which a lazy tong lattice forms the grill and is subject tobeing extended over an opening to 'be closed, or collapsed and storedadjacent a side of the opening, and in which the extended lattice isrigidly supported to prevent it from being flexed away from the opening.

A variety of different types of collapsible gate structures have beenevolved for use in protecting store fronts, or display windows. Theseprotective gates are employed to prevent unauthorized access or entrythrough the protected opening to the store front, display, or residencewhile at the same time admitting light and air, or permitting viewing ofany articles of merchandise, or the like material, which is presentedfor display. The use of a lazy tong lattice in the formation of theseprotective gates has been found particularly suitable, since the lazytong lattice when extended over the opening to be protected provides agrill through which the protected area may be viewed at the same timepreventing access to the area. Collapse of the lattice is relativelysimple and serves to fold the gate against a side wall of the protectedopening.

Problems are, however, encountered in the use of this lazy tong latticein the formation of protective gates in that the extended lattice isrelatively flexible, and it is often found that intrusion to theprotected area may be obtained by flexing the lattice away from theprotected area to permit an intruder to squeeze between the bottom ofthe gate and the protected opening. To prevent this flexing, auxiliaryguide channels have in the past been provided which are arrangedadjacent the to and bottom of the extended lattice to prevent flexingthereof. These auxiliary channels have unfortunately themselves servedas an implement to obtain access to the protected premises by someintruders. Thus the auxiliary guide channels which must besupplementarily afiixed to the gate structure after positioning of thegrill work are often improperly aflixed by the user, and in such casesare removed by the intruder and employed as a crow bar to pry the grillwork away from the protected area. Other problems have been encounteredin connection with the conventionally employed auxiliary guide channelsdue to the fact that these auxiliary guide channels must be removedduring movement of the gate from an open to a closed position. As aresult of this removal, they have often been lost, or improperlyarranged with respect to the lattice when utilized.

It is with the above considerations in mind that the present novelprotective gate has been evolved, a protective gate employing a lazytongs lattice in which the grill work formed by the extended lattice isrigidly supported when in an open position to prevent flexing thereofaway from the protected area, and in which the means for providingdesired rigidity to the open grill work are subject to simultaneousfolding along with the grill lattice when the gate is folded to aninoperative position.

It is accordingly among the primary objects of this invention -toprovide an improved protective gate structure employing a lazy tongslattice which when extended forms a relatively rigid grill through whichthe protected area may be viewed, though preventing unauthorized accessto the area.

A further object of this invention is to provide an im- Patented Apr.18, 1967 proved collapsible gate which when in operative position willnot be subject to being flexed away from a closure position.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved protectivegate constructed with requisite rigidity so as to prevent unauthorizeddisplacement of the gate when in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved guidestructure for a lazy tongs lattice which will permit the lazy tongslattice to be extended over any given area and maintained in a secureposition when in extended position.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafterapparent are achieved by forming a gate structure with an end p-ostmember adopted for positioning adjacent the side wall of the opening tobe protected. This end post is formed with a slideway, and a grillformed by an extensible lazy tongs lattice of angularly disposedcrisscrossing pivotally joined overlapping truss bars is arranged sothat those points of juncture of the truss bars forming the end of thegrill work which must slide to permit extension of the lattice areslidably disposed in the slideway formed in the end post member. A guidepost similar to the end post is arranged on the opposite end of thelattice. A telescoping guide track is arranged to slidably engagepreferably the top and bottom of the lazy tongs lattice. The lattice isprovided at its upper and lower extremities with extensible pivot pinswhich are slidably engaged in the track. The guide tracks are slidablyand pivotally arranged with respect to the end post so that as the lazytong grill is extended the guide tracks slide with respect to the endpost under the influence of the contraction of the grill work in adirection perpendicular to its direction of extension. The guide trackis preferably formed with a slide strut for sliding with respect to theend post, and a pivot strut pivotally connected with respect to thesliding strut, with the pivot strut having a telescoping portionextending outwardly therefrom as the lattice is extended. When the gateis in folded position, the pivoted struts are folded against the ends ofthe grill work to maintain the grill work in collapsed position againstthe end post. A projection is provided at the end of the guide track,and an apertured plate is provided for engagement by the guide pin asthe grill work is extended, thus effecting locking of the guide tracksacross the protected opening.

-Among the features of the invention is the arrangement of the guidetracks so that they are integral with the gate, whereby the possibilityof their being lost, or improperly positioned is eliminated.

Another feature of the invention is that the guide tracks areautomatically locked in position as the gate is extended over theopening to be protected.

A further feature of the invention resides in the slideway in the postsin engagement with the guide tracks to secure the guide tracks duringextension of the lattice.

The specific details of a preferred embodiment of the invention, andtheir mode of functioning, will be made most manifest and particularlypointed out in clear, concise and exact terms in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the novel collapsible gate shown inoperative position closing off an opening; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1 showing therelationship of the lazy tongs lattice with respect to the guide track;and

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the gate in collapsed position; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the upper end of the end postshowing the details of the slideway formed in the end post, and theconfiguration of the slideway so as to limit the movement of the guidetrack; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4 showing thechannel-like configuration of the post member; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end of the lower guide trackprovided with a hasp shaped projection, and an apertured latching platethrough which said hasp may be extended to effect locking of the gate.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in thevarious figures will be employed to designate like parts.

The novel gate 10, as shown in an open operative position in FIG. 1, andin -a collapsed folded position in FIG. 3 comprises a lazy tong lattice11 formed by a plurality of angularly disposed criss-crossing truss bars15 and 16. Those truss bars designated 15 are inclined downwardly fromleft to right as viewed in FIG. 1, while those truss bars designated 16are inclined upwardly from left to right as viewed in FIG. 1. The trussbars 15 are pivotally interconnected to the truss bars 16, at pivots 17which may preferably be formed by means of rivets or the like. In theillustrated preferred embodiment, the truss bars 15 and 16 are formed ofU-shaped steel channels as shown in FIG. 2.

The extremities of the grill 11 formed by intersecting truss bars 15 and16 are pivotally conjoined by means of pivot pins 20, which as best seenin FIGS. 2 and 4 are formed by headed rivets, the ends of which extendbeyond the face of the truss bars. Arranged about the extensions fromthese pivot pins 20 are rollers 21 on opposed sides of the pivot joint.In the illustrated embodiment where the pivot joint is formed by aheaded rivet 20 having head 22 at one end thereof and upset end 23 atthe opposite end thereof, a washer 24 is preferably arranged betweenroller 21 and upside end 23 to insure proper retention of the roller.

An end post member 30, as seen to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2 is employedas a primary support for the grill work 11 forming the gate 10. End postmember 30, as best seen in FIG. 4 is formed by two opposed U-shapedchannel members 31, as shown in cross-section in FIG. 5. The opposedchannel members 31 'are conjoined by means of fastening members 32 inthe form of rivets 33 having a head 34 at one end, and upset at 35 tosecure the rivet in position. A spacer sleeve 36 is arranged about therivet 33 between the channel members 31 to insure desired spacingbetween said channel members. As seen at the lower part of FIG. 4 theends of the rivets forming the pivot pins 20 at the extremities of thegrill 11, are slideable within the channels of channel members 31, thusjoining the grill 11 to the end post 30.

At the upper and lower ends of the post member 30, the channel members31 are contoured as at 41 as seen in FIG. 4. The central portion of thepost is spaced apart a distance such as to accommodate the truss bars 15and 16 therebetween for free movement of the truss bars, while the endsof the channels 31 are spaced apart a distance such as to slidablyaccommodate a slide strut 40 which is substantially equal incross-sectional dimension to the cross-sectional dimension of the centerportion of post 30. The turning point 41 between the narrower portion ofend post 30 and the wider ends of the end post serves to limit themovement of the strut 40 between the dotted line position illustrated inFIG. 4 to the solid line position, as will become hereinafter moreapparent.

A guide track 45 is provided for the upper and lower edges of the lazytong lattice 11.' The guide track 45 comprises the slide strut 40, whichas seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 is of a box channel configuration, and isslidably arranged with respect to end post 30. Slide strut 40 is formedwith end turned flanges 41 and 42 and is dimensioned to slidably receiverolls 21 on the extensions from pivot pin 20 joining the extremities oftruss bars 15 and 16 at the upper and lower ends of the grill lattice11. In

the FIG. 4 view an end anchoring rivet 46 is extended through the truss15' (see FIG. 1) and the strut 40. Sliding strut 40 is of a length suchas to extend across the collapsed lattice 11, as seen in FIG. 3.Pivotally secured to slide strut 40 by means of hinge 42 is pivot strut43 of a cross secetional configuration like that of slide strut 40.Where the guide track 45 is arranged at both top and bottom edges of thelattice as illustrated, the maximum length of pivot strut 43 is slightlyless than half the height of the collapsed lazy tong lattice 11. Inorder to permit extension of the lazy tong lattice over an openinghaving a width greater than the combined length of strut 40 and 43,strut 43 is provided with a telescoping extension 44, 'as best seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, with telescoping extension 44 of a box-like configurationgeometrically similar to that of strut 43 and adapted to slide freelywithin strut 43. The spacing between the inturned flanges 47 and 47 ontelescoping strut 44 is equal to the spacing between the inturnedflanges of strut 43 so as to permit free movement of the truss bars 15and 16 during the extension and collapse of the lattice 11, as seen inFIG. 2. As seen in the drawings the upper and lower guide tracks areidentical.

At the extremities of telescoping strut 44, a projection 48 is provided.A latching member 50 here shown in the form of an angle plate is formedwith an aperture 51 Within which projection 48 is received when the gateis extended, as viewed in FIG. 1.

This projection 48 may take the form of a pin, as shown at the upper endof FIG. 1, or in the form of a hasp 52, as illustrated in FIG. 6 topermit use 'of a hasp lock where desired, and the latching member 50 ispreferably mounted in a guide channel of a width sufficient toaccommodate the end of strut 44.

A guide post 60 substantially identical to end post 30 is provided atthe free end of the grill lattice 11 opposite to end post 30. Guide post60 is formed of opposed channels contoured as channels 31 and secured byrivets and spacers in the fashion of post 30. The only differencebetween end post 36 and guide post 60 is that guide post 60 ispreferably formed with a roller 61 at its bottom end to implementmovement of the gate. The grill 11 is secured to the guide post 60 byarranging the ends of pivot pins 26 to slide in the channels formingguide post 60, as above described in connection with end post 30.

In lieu of, or in addition to hasp 52 a centrally positioned hasp andlatch may be arranged at the center of the gate on guide post 60; whereused alone this center hasp acting with the top and bottom projectionsprovides three-point locking of the gate. 7

Where only 'a top or bottom guide strut 45 is employed, the length ofthe pivot strut may be made equal to the height of guide post 60 lessthe length of slide strut 40.

Operation The aforedescribed gate structure 10 may be employed in avariety of situations where it is desired to utilize a gate either overan opening, or as a covering, which does not prevent viewing of thecovered area. Such gates find particular utility as protective gates inconnection with storefronts or display cabinets where it is foundnecessary to protect the storefront or display cabinet from unauthorizedentry or intrusion, while at the same time permitting view of thestorefront or cabinets.

Where so employed, the gate 10 is arranged with the end post 30 securedto a side wall W (or the like datum) by the utilization of anyconventional type of fastening member, or by the use of a mounting suchas disclosed in applicants copending application S.N. 266,588.Thereafter when it is desired to close off the opening, pivot struts 45are swung away from the free edge of the gate so that the upper strut isoriented as viewed in FIG. 1 to lie along the desired path of movementof the gate.

Thereafter the guide post 60 is drawn away from mounting post 30, as aresult of which the lazy tong lattice 11 will be extended to close offthe opening.

Due to the extension of the lazy tong lattice 11, there will be acontraction of the lattice in a direction perpendicular to its directionof extension, or away from the top and bottom of the opening as viewedin the drawing. As a result of this contraction, the guide tracks 45formed by the upper and lower struts 40, 43, and 44, will slide towardseach other from the dotted line position illustrated in FIG. 1 to thesolid line position. The guide members 45 are limited in their movementby the curve 41 in the channel members 31. The amount of movement ispreferably so designed as to permit a maximum of 6 inches of contractionaway from the top of the opening to thereby prevent undesired intrusionthrough the gated opening.

As a result of the movement of the guide tracks 45 towards each other totheir limiting positions, the projection 48 at the end of strut 44 willengage in aperture 51 of latching plate 50, thus securing the gate inoperative position. Insertion of a hasp lock in hasp 48 may be employedto efiFect locking of the gate in operative position.

To open the gate, it is merely necessary to slide the guide post 60 backtowards end post 30 thereby folding the lazy tong lattice. Thetelescoping strut 44 is pushed back into pivot strut 43 which is thenhinged up against guide post 60 to maintain the gate in collapsedposition.

It is thus seen that a simple unitary folding gate structure has beenprovided in which guide members are provided for a relatively flexiblelazy tong lattice to maintain the lattice in rigid position over anydesired opening, and prevent improper positioning of the gate.

The above disclosure has been given by way of illustration andelucidation, and not by way of limitation, and it is desired to protectall embodiments of the hereindisclosed inventive concept within thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible open grill gate, said gate comprising:

an end post, said end post having a slideway formed therein;

a lazy tong lattice of angularly disposed criss-crossing pivotallyconnected truss bars, one edge of said lattice arranged in the slidewayof said end post and slidably connected thereto; and

a guide track slidably accommodating at least one edge of the lattice,said track comprising a slide strut slidably arranged in the slideway ofsaid end post, a pivot strut pivoted to said slide strut, and atelescoping strut telescoping within said pivot strut.

2. A collapsible open grill gate, said gate comprising:

an end post, said end post having a slideway formed therein;

a lazy tong lattice of angularly disposed criss-crossing pivotallyconnected truss bars, one edge of said lattice arranged in the slidewayof said end post and slidably connected thereto;

a guide post arranged at the free end of the lattice opposite said endpost formed with a slideway slidably accommodating the sliding trussbars of said lattice;

a guide track slidably accommodating at least one edge of the lattice,said track comprising a slide strut slidably arranged in the slideway ofsaid end post, and a pivot strut pivoted to said slide strut. 3. Acollapsible gate as in claim 2 in which the slideways in said end postmember and said guide post are 5 contoured to limit the movement of saidguide track.

4. A collapsible open grill gate, said gate comprising:

an end post, said end post having a slideway formed therein;

a lazy tong lattice of angularly disposed criss-crossing pivotallyconnected truss bars, one edge of said lattice arranged in the slidewayof said end post and slidably connected thereto; and

a guide track slidably accommodating at least one edge of the lattice,said track comprising a slide strut slidably arranged in the slideway ofsaid end post, a pivot strut pivoted to said slide strut, a projectionon said guide track; and a latching member provided for fixedpositioning at the extremity of the extended gate for engagement by saidprojection when said lattice is extended.

5. A collapsible gate as in claim 4 in which said projection comprises ahasp, and said latching member comprises an apertured plate throughwhich said hasp is extended.

6. A collapsible open grill gate, said gate comprising:

an end post member, said end post member having a slideway formedtherein;

a lazy tong lattice of angularly disposed criss-crossing pivotallyconnected truss bars, one edge of said lattice slideably engaged in theslideway of said end post;

a guide track on opposed edges of the lattice slidably accommodating,engaging and guiding the lattice in its extension and collapse, eachsaid track comprising a slide strut slidably arranged in the slideway ofsaid end post member, and a pivot strut pivoted to each said slidestrut, each said slide strut limited in its movement in said slideway;

a guide post at the free end of said lattice, said guide post slidablyaccommodating the sliding truss bars of said lattice;

and a projection on said guide track engaging a latch plate when saidlattice is extended.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1887 Bataille160-144 4/1888 Goodwin et al. 160-160 X 4/1905 Record 160-150 X 8/1911Ashlock 160-137 2/1917 Agee et a1. 160-136 12/1917 Fritz 160-160 XFOREIGN PATENTS 4/1953 France. 855,187 11/1960 Great Britain. 159,679 6/1957 Sweden.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 60 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Examiner.D. L. TAYLOR, Assistant Examiner.

1. A COLLAPSIBLE OPEN GRILL GATE, SAID GATE COMPRISING: AN END POST,SAID END POST HAVING A SLIDEWAY FORMED THEREIN; A LAZY TONG LATTICE OFANGULARLY DISPOSED CRISS-CROSSING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TRUSS BARS, ONEEDGE OF SAID LATTICE ARRANGED IN THE SLIDEWAY OF SAID END POST ANDSLIDABLY CONNECTED THERETO; AND A GUIDE TRACK SLIDABLY ACCOMMODATING ATLEAST ONE EDGE OF THE LATTICE, SAID TRACK COMPRISING A SLIDE STRUTSLIDABLY ARRANGED IN THE SLIDEWAY OF SAID END POST, A PIVOT STRUTPIVOTED TO SAID SLIDE STRUT, AND A TELESCOPING STRUT TELESCOPING WITHINSAID PIVOT STRUT.